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Tuesday, November 23, 2010

So turns out that Colorado's 10,000 foot elevation, my pneumonia recovering lungs, and the extreme lack of physical activity during my sickness have made for an interesting and difficult combination this week. It is extremely frustrating coming from the shape I was in and what my lungs could handle, to now being out of breath after walking up a short flight of stairs or a small hill. Luckily I have a decent amount of time here to try to get acclimated and get my lungs used to having to work again.

I have had a few really fun free skiing days at Breckenridge and I have started to get a good feeling again. Much thanks to my host Alex Palma for hooking me up with some free housing and free ticket vouchers. I spent most of my time on the hill just doing very focused free skiing and some drills, trying to get a good stance back and get my balance dialed in. I have been scrambling around trying to set up some training with any group I could fit in with and luckily I will be able to hop in with Middlebury at Vail the next couple days. I'm really psyched to get over there and ski with those guys and really appreciate the help Stever is providing by letting me train with them.

It should be a little interesting tomorrow as I think it will be a bit more taxing than the low volume free skiing runs I have had recently but I'll just have to make sure I'm smart about what I'm doing and take breaks when I need them. The snow has been a little soft to really get my set-up dialed in but I think I'm pretty close already. The DODGE boots have been extremely responsive (and absurdly comfortable) and the stance feels so natural for me that my balance already feels great. My Head GS skis also seem to be working really well for me. I'm really psyched to get in a course tomorrow and hopefully get on some harder snow so I can start making some official calls on canting, mounting positions and other things of that nature.

I might be able to get some video and pictures of training in the next couple days, not sure but I'll give it a shot. In the mean time here are some pictures from my time in Breck the past few days:

Amazing meal the night I flew in. A small KMS '04 reunion with Alex Palma, Jeff Hackett and myself joined by friends Theo and Mike.

Top of the chair where I did most of my skiing.

Riding up the lift this morning. Cold and windy, but bluebird. Tough to beat.

Can see the wind whipping off the top. It blows pretty hard here.

Tried to get a picture of the bowls to the left, but this didn't really do it justice.

Amazing view from the top of the T-Bar, overlooking town. Only problem was that it was gusting too hard to take more pictures.

My Mission

My goal is to become one of the best Giant Slalom skiers in the world, while at the same time giving back to the sport of ski racing by teaching and providing support for the young athletes who are the future of the sport.

I will spend this season specializing in GS, competing in high level races throughout North America. Along with my training and racing, I will be working with Carrabassett Valley Academy as a coach for 13 and 14 year old J3 athletes. This situation will be an ideal way for me to set about accomplishing my goals.

I no doubt have a difficult road ahead of me, both with the challenging goals I have set for myself and with the level of dedication I fully intend to provide to my athletes. It is only with 100 percent commitment, thorough planning, and intense training and preparation that I will be able to complete the tasks which lie ahead.

By competing in high level races (NorAm's, US Nationals, etc.) I will provide myself with the opportunity to drastically lower my F.I.S. points (and therefore my world ranking), which will put me one step closer to my goal. I hope to accumulate top 10's, top 5's, and podiums, thereby earning myself an early start number in later races. This would give me a considerable advantage and help to further propel quality race results in the future.

Though the goals I have set are extremely challenging, I have unwavering faith in my abilities. I know that with intense preparation and planning, the very much appreciated help from the CVA coaching staff, and the aid (for which I am extremely grateful) from my family, friends and sponsors, I will be able to continue my improvement towards becoming one of the best GS skiers in the world.